If Luc Donckerwolke has anything to do with it, it is sure to be ugly. Regardless, I still question if there is a market for such a vehicle. Sure if one of the D3 tried as an experiment to gain some traction, I could see it, but Hyundai? Americans love their trucks, and for their trucks to come from an American company. This just seems like an exercise in futility.

If Luc Donckerwolke has anything to do with it, it is sure to be ugly. Regardless, I still question if there is a market for such a vehicle. Sure if one of the D3 tried as an experiment to gain some traction, I could see it, but Hyundai? Americans love their trucks, and for their trucks to come from an American company. This just seems like an exercise in futility.

It makes sense to do it as a variant of an existing vehicle. I don't see it moving enough vehicles to be a standalone vehicle, but if it's basically a rework of a Tucson, it'll probably be fine. As long as its priced cheap enough. I don't think anyone thinks of this as a real truck, or that it's going to steal any sales from the big trucks or even midsize trucks. I think it's more of a step up for someone who has a hatchback or small crossover.

I think it's more of a step up for someone who has a hatchback or small crossover.

That's a great point. I can almost see this becoming a decent sized niche down the road once the current wave of crossover-mania settles down. But for right now, this isn't likely to set any sales records.

I've got bad news for you. You're probably the only person in the world who thinks that. I suspect you're not REALLY a buyer anyways. Two tiny extended cab doors aren't going to ruin the vehicle.

Okay, I have some bad news for you - i don't buy ANYTHING with more than two doors. And that includes trucks. Two more doors, regardless of the size, ruin anything for me. If I'm the only person in the ENTIRE WORLD who thinks that (which I sincerely doubt), then so be it.

Okay, I have some bad news for you - i don't buy ANYTHING with more than two doors. And that includes trucks. Two more doors, regardless of the size, ruin anything for me. If I'm the only person in the ENTIRE WORLD who thinks that (which I sincerely doubt), then so be it.

That's a bit strange, but your choice. If it had an extended cab but only 2 doors like trucks used to would you still be ok with it?

Okay, I have some bad news for you - i don't buy ANYTHING with more than two doors. And that includes trucks. Two more doors, regardless of the size, ruin anything for me. If I'm the only person in the ENTIRE WORLD who thinks that (which I sincerely doubt), then so be it.

If it can't carry a short stack of 4' x 8' whatever, it might as well be a CUV. Fingers crossed that somehow that short bed can be converted to do so.

I don't agree. I don't think the types of people buying this care about carrying 4x8 sheets of plywood/drywall. This isn't a work truck, this is a "my hockey uniform is stinky and I don't want it in the bed" kind of truck. It's a "my mountain bike is covered in mud and cow manure and I want to put it in the bed" kind of truck.

And that right there is why this is doomed to fail. Do you know how big of a bed you need to fit a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood? Once you add all the crap you need to pass a safety crash nowadays and if there is even an extended cab, you're right back up to 200'+ long again.

And that right there is why this is doomed to fail. Do you know how big of a bed you need to fit a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood? Once you add all the crap you need to pass a safety crash nowadays and if there is even an extended cab, you're right back up to 200'+ long again.

My colorado has a 5' bed and 4x8s fit with the tailgate down. No issue at all. I guess if you MUST have them inside the bed and be able to shut the tailgate it becomes an issue, but for most that's not a problem.

My colorado has a 5' bed and 4x8s fit with the tailgate down. No issue at all. I guess if you MUST have them inside the bed and be able to shut the tailgate it becomes an issue, but for most that's not a problem.

I think you missed the point. People say they want a compact pickup, but then they want to be able to fit a sheet of plywood in the back. How big is your Colorado? Is it compact? Exactly...

EDIT: And now that I read your other post directly above mine, I agree with what you are saying, but we've seen this too many times where people look at all the things a pickup can't do to justify not purchasing it. The Ridgeline is more truck then most people need, but it continues to be a flop.

I don't agree. I don't think the types of people buying this care about carrying 4x8 sheets of plywood/drywall. This isn't a work truck, this is a "my hockey uniform is stinky and I don't want it in the bed" kind of truck. It's a "my mountain bike is covered in mud and cow manure and I want to put it in the bed" kind of truck.

Since when have homeowners not needed to carry a sheet of plywood or drywall home from the home improvement store on occasion? You don't need an 8' long bed to carry 4x8' sheets of material, it only needs to be 4' wide (and >5' long) and have a means for tie-downs to keep the load from sliding out the back. Compact trucks have done this for decades. Why should I have to buy a full-size work truck to accommodate occasional home improvement projects? In my book, if it can't handle a 4x8' sheet of material in the bed, its not a "truck".

I do think there's a market for a truck that can't do truck things. A vehicle that has an open bed for dirty gear, mountain bikes, maybe a few bags of mulch, but mostly is there for the convenience of not having to clean it or have smelly things stink up your car.

That said, I think that market is small, and really requires AGGRESSIVE pricing. If this is anywhere CLOSE to the price of a Tacoma, Colorado, or Ranger, it's doomed to only be a really tiny niche player. Sort of like Ridgeline, but without the fanatical cult of Honda to prop up sales.

I have several friends that would buy this sort of vehicle, but they won't pay a premium for it. This needs to start around $20k, preferably under that, to be successful I think.

Pretty much all of Hyundai's offerings undercut the competition with regards to price. I'm sure this will too. With that being said, I don't really think someone would cross show this and a Colorado. This seems more targeted to someone looking to buy a crossover which they would use for bikes/snowboards etc.

I'm a millennial, but I guess I'm not part of the key demographic since I live in the country and have a 3-car garage. Still, I'm not sure why all the automakers are targeting the "urban lifestyle" customer as these tend to have less disposable income (cost of living and student loans and whatnot) and often don't desire to own a car.

But I wouldn't buy one of these. I live in an area where owning a full-size truck would be reasonable, if you needed a truck to begin with.

I'm a millennial, but I guess I'm not part of the key demographic since I live in the country and have a 3-car garage. Still, I'm not sure why all the automakers are targeting the "urban lifestyle" customer as these tend to have less disposable income (cost of living and student loans and whatnot) and often don't desire to own a car.

But I wouldn't buy one of these. I live in an area where owning a full-size truck would be reasonable, if you needed a truck to begin with.

Same here. I live in a suburban city outside of a big city, with TONS of trucks.

I think this thing has a really small sliver of people that are going to be interested in it.

I have no idea why automakers (or other companies) target broke ass urban city dwellers so much. My guess is they're more predisposed to spending all their money, not ever having savings, and being in crushed debt forever. So if you want to sell something expensive, not that useful, and that will need replaced soon, you target them.

Same here. I live in a suburban city outside of a big city, with TONS of trucks.

I think this thing has a really small sliver of people that are going to be interested in it.

I have no idea why automakers (or other companies) target broke ass urban city dwellers so much. My guess is they're more predisposed to spending all their money, not ever having savings, and being in crushed debt forever. So if you want to sell something expensive, not that useful, and that will need replaced soon, you target them.

Agreed, though I’m in metro Detroit, so maybe my area isn’t representative of all big cities since it has the automotive industry and related car culture here, but half the people I work with drive Rams or F-150s - all crew cab / short beds and in pristine condition, of course.

Agreed, though I’m in metro Detroit, so maybe my area isn’t representative of all big cities since it has the automotive industry and related car culture here, but half the people I work with drive Rams or F-150s - all crew cab / short beds and in pristine condition, of course.

Still, I'm not sure why all the automakers are targeting the "urban lifestyle" customer as these tend to have less disposable income (cost of living and student loans and whatnot) and often don't desire to own a car.

I have a feeling that's mostly code for "suburbanites who wished they lived in the city but don't for one reason or another".

I've been waiting, what, half a decade? and I have to wait another year or two?? come on Hyundai, put it on sale already!!! Make mine the 2.0 liter turbo, silver with black leather and some sort of glass moonroof. I would gladly buy a stick

Comparisons to the Baja might not be such a good idea. It sat on dealer lots for months and months. It was a far cry from the concept car and no one knew what to do with it. But if the production "Santa Cruz" looks anything like the above, it might do better.

BTW, the majority of people in Santa Cruz CA, basically Berkeley Jr, are pretty anti-car.

Totally following this truck and want one just like the concept, 2 door and suicide , plus small extendable bed. I want it as electric preferably , but might consider plugin hybrid. Short adventure with dirty crap , it's perfect. I admit to being a suburbanite who wishes he lives in the country. I already have a Ram 2500 (old), so got that covered. Hope they don't ruin it with 4 doors and 4 real seats, tacoma, ford , chevy have that covered.

This reminds me of a small El Camino .I would like a small sporty truck. Need AWD and a good turbo--- maybe 220 HP of more. For the the guys who keep most of what they own in a truck ---this would not work. Thanks